GAR Post 588 Natural Bridge, New York.
Post meeting circa 1891
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| The bust of General Sherman is on exhibit at the Augustus Saint Gauden National Historical Park in Cornish, New Hampshire |
GAR Post 588 was chartered on April 13, 1891, remaining active until 1937 when the charter was surrendered. It was named after General William Tecumseh (Uncle Billy) Sherman who died two months prior to the post's formation. The photograph above was probably taken in 1891 when the post met for the first time. It couldn't have been taken any later than 1905 as Mr. Luther Wright, a member who is pictured, died that year.
While researching the post and its history I was able to identify most everyone in the picture to include their Civil War Unit and dates of birth and death see the chart below for more details.
On the back of the original photograph are handwritten notes identifying all the members present.
Two family members are pictured in this photograph.
The first Franklin Sanders born 1841 the son of Philander and Nancy Sanders.
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| Frank Sanders |
Franklin is the 1st cousin of Jennie M. Sanders, Harvey Jesse Lake's wife. Frank Sanders served in the 10th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment from 1862 to 1865 when he was discharged at the end of the Civil War.
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| Frank Ashcraft |
The second is Frank Ashcraft he was born in 1836 and died in 1913 he was related to Lorenzo Ashcraft, the husband on Anna Clement, Daniel L. Clement's youngest daughter. Not much is known currently about Frank Ashcraft and his connection, but there are other photographs of him with the old family pictures that indicate a close connection. He also served in the 10th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment from 1862 to 1865.
Members of GAR Post 558 pictured above
Name
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Born
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Died
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Civil War Unit
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Dates of Service
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Bill Williamson
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1843
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1911
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10th NY Heavy Artillery
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1862-1865
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Mr McCory
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**
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N. Williamson
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**
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Ed Weatherhead
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**
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Daniel Puffer
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1837
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10th NY Heavy Artillery
|
1862-1865
|
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Henry Weatherhed
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1844
|
10th New York Heavy Artillery
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1862-1865
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Luther Wright
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1846
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1905
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186th NY Vol Infantry Regiment
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1864-1865
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Charles Schultz
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1839
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1916
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10th New York Heavy Artillery
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1862-1863
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John Davis
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1842
|
94 NY Vol Infantry Regiment
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1862-1865
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John Shoemaker
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**
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William Nichols
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1820
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186th NY Vol Infantry Regiment
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1864-1865
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Frank Datuch
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1835
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94th NY Vol Infantry Reg
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1862- ?
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Henry Crimmins
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*
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Frank Ashcraft
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1836
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1913
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10th NY Heavy Artillery
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1862-1865
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Cal Graves
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**
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Frank Sanders
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1841
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1917
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10th NY Heavy Artillery
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1862-1865
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Mr. Holland
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**
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Warren Harlow
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1829
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10th NY Heavy Artillery
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1862-1865
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Len Ward
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*
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Mr. Priest
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*
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* There are people of the proper names and approximate age and the Wilna, NY area that could be these three men however more research must be done to prove this conclusively
** No information available
